Please see previous for disclaimer, famous characters still aren't mine, whether from the book or movie.

Many thanks to Goddess Morrigan and Phantom for the reviews… at least a few people are enjoying this as much as me! Anyway, with no further ado… the next instalment!!

Chapter 2 – A merger and a meeting

The three figures moved quickly through the vegetation of the forest, heavy feet pounding effortlessly over any rocks and plants in their way. The lead figure slowed and barked a word of command to halt his companions. Lurtz took a sniff of the night air, his sense of smell useful in the dark where his eyes were not. He nodded and gruffly spoke to the others before setting off again. The Orc camp was near, he could smell them on the still night air. Filthy, despicable, useless creatures… perhaps not entirely useless, he corrected himself, or he would not be seeking them out to be part of Master Saruman's plan.

"Stupid Orcs." The voice of Ugluk behind him rang out in the quiet night. "We're practically on top of them and they don't even know we're here."

Lurtz grinned in the darkness, his white pointed teeth showing menacingly. "They'll know soon enough." It didn't matter much to him if they were able to walk straight into the Orc camp, it would merely give him a good excuse to assert his authority. He slowed the group to a walk once more smelling the presence of an Orc very close. Very close indeed.

"HALT!"

Maybe the Orcs aren't quite as stupid as they look, Lurtz thought. At least they have a sentry. Easily overpowered but still.

"Friend or foe, state your business." The sentry's voice came again. Lurtz easily located the voice, ignored the weapon in its speaker's hand and wrapped a hand of his own around the Orc's thin neck. With ease he lifted the sentry off the ground to meet his eye level.

"I wish to speak to your Captain."

Her vision used to the dark, Gorplak saw the three strange figures arrive, and issued the regulation challenge. She was unprepared for the sudden lack of oxygen available to her lungs, and she clawed madly at the large hand that held her. Her legs kicked in the empty air as the lead figure pushed his face to hers and spoke brusquely. Had she not been fighting for breath, she would have marvelled at the ugliness of this strange, mysterious beast, his thick, bedraggled mane of hair dark as the night around him, vicious yellow eyes that raged like fire, and the curious white handprint across his ruggedly horrid face. But at that instant, Gorplak wanted nothing more than air in her empty lungs so she nodded frantically, and the large stranger dropped her unceremoniously in a heap on the forest floor. She backed away from the group carefully before rising to her feet and crying out in a voice barely above a groan.

"Captain! Captain!"

She turned and fled into the camp behind her, as her fellow soldiers came rushing at the commotion, some with their weapons held menacingly but most reluctant to go near these strange, fearsome creatures. Lurtz ignored them.

"Poor sentry," He mumbled to his companions sarcastically. "Scared him half to death."

"Her."

Both Lurtz and Ugluk turned to their so far silent companion.

"It was a female."

There was silence for a few moments before Ugluk snorted in amusement. "Trust you, always first to notice an ugly face."

Suitably ridiculed for noticing those almost luminous green eyes, the third component of the party reverted to his silent self. Ugluk snorted again before turning back to watch a group of Orcs, the sentry included, running back to where he stood and stopping.

"What do you want?" The lead Orc, Captain Lushneg asked, his voice wavering slightly in front of these huge visitors.

"I am ordered to take command of this company Captain." Lurtz answered him.

"On whose authority?" Lushneg challenged.

"Mine and my Lord Saruman."

Lushneg sneered. "I accept only the authority of the great Lord Sauron. Only he can…"

Lurtz silenced the Orc with a swipe of his great fist. As his palm connected with Lushneg's jaw, the force of the impact jerked his head to an unnatural angle, and a sickening snap heralded Lushneg's broken neck. The lifeless corpse fell to the floor.

"Who was our departed friend's Lieutenant?" Lurtz asked. Lieutenant Gagnik remained silent, he had no wish to share his Captain's fate, until a bellow of rage escaped Lurtz's lips. "Who was his Lieutenant?" He thundered.

Gagnik took a terrified step forward.

Lurtz glared at the small Orc. "It seems you have earned a promotion, Captain," He stressed Gagnik's new rank. "But you will only enjoy it under my command. Agreed?"

Gagnik stammered an acceptance. Lurtz growled and nodded. "Good. I have new orders for this Company, of which I will inform the senior officers now. Captain, gather your officers, Bagshash," He turned to his silent comrade. "I want details of the Company's attack status. Sentry?" He turned to Gorplak, who willed herself to meet his gaze. "Return to your post."

Gorplak threw a crisp salute. "Sir yes sir." And escaped to her post. Lurtz smiled to see his orders being carried out and stalked away with Ugluk behind him. Gorplak watched them go, wincing at the already darkening bruises encapsulating her throat. Bagshash watched her, captivated by the dark, tapered fingers that rubbed gently at her injured body. An unknown feeling crept over him, unnamed since his eruption into the world only a few nights ago, and it compelled him to walk hesitantly towards her.

"Sentry." The deep voice startled her and she leapt to her feet at the approach of the stranger.

"Sir?"

Green eyes met orange eyes that blazed brighter than the hideous sun that she despised so much. Oh but he was ugly. No, the commanding stranger was ugly; this one was truly horrifying. His skin was wrinkled and pot- marked, his rough cheeks obscured by a white handprint on each, his tangled locks hanging limply down his back, and thick, muscled limps that looked capable enough to tear her head off without a moments hesitation. The only question was, was she breathless because of her fear of him, or was it something else? Something that had not been stirred in her for a long time, something she almost couldn't remember.

The two faced each other in silence, until both began to speak at once. Both stopped and indicated the other to continue. Both insisted the other go first and both smiled at the awkwardness.

"Highest rank first." Gorplak persisted. Bagshash shrugged.

"I just hoped that Lurtz did not injure you too badly." She unconsciously brought a hand to her neck, and felt insanely happy over his inquiry. She hoped her joy didn't show all over her face. Bagshash watched her struggle with her emotions with confusion. A thought struck him, had he insulted her, suggesting she was weak? He hadn't meant that, so he tried to remedy it quickly.

"I mean, we need every soldier fit and healthy."

Gorplak blinked, her happiness fading. There was no concern over her welfare on a personal level; he just wanted healthy soldiers to command. She tried to smile.

"I'm… fine. Sir. Thank you."

Bagshash returned her half-smile. "Now you. You wanted to say something?" Gorplak looked at this great beast smiling back at her and asked the question she had been dying to ask since the three of them had arrived.

"Sir… what on Middle Earth are you?"

An interesting question, Bagshash pondered. What was he? "We are the Uruk-Hai, the loyal warriors of Saruman. We are the next evolution from Orcs." How pompous he sounded to himself, but it was true. "We destroy our Master's enemies without fear, without pain." He added simply.

Gorplak was astounded. Her superior in every way stood in front of her. How could it be true? Yet the pointed ears he bore suggested that he was indeed descended from the evil Elves, as she was. So there it was. Her breed was to be replaced, substituted by a new, improved generation while those who had fought for years, centuries even would no doubt be dismissed and slaughtered. Suddenly the future didn't look so very rosy.

"My name is Bagshash." His voice pulled her from her thoughts. Their gaze met once more and he held out a clawed hand.

"Gorplak."

Her long-term future wasn't bright, but for now it wasn't so bad. She met his hand with one of her own.

The touch was electric.

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So the Orcs and Uruk-Hai's are stuck with each other. More blood shed and cheesy romance in the next chapter. Until next time dear reader!